Wills Ryan - Creative Artist

Wills has always been interested in artsy things - drawing, especially.  One of the things I love about him and this specifically is his creativity and his memory.  He is so observant!  Lately, Wills' favorite song is Rock It, Gangham Style (at least, I think that is the name of it).  It was very popular about a year ago, and he sings it NONSTOP.  After the cuteness wears off, it's pretty annoying...and now he has Jules doing it..  But anyway...the other day, I played it for him on my phone and he saw parts of the video on YouTube.  Then, he drew this picture last night for his friend, Alex.

I didn't know what he was working on at the time - but he came in several times and said things like "Mom, did you know that if you are a rock star and a boy, it's OK if you paint your fingernails?" and "Mom, some rock star boys even wear lipstick."  "Psy does it."  Psy is the Korean singer of Rock It Gangham Style. 

Here is what he drew - check out the big lights and the girl dancer "wearing a grey dress just like in the video."

I love this kid!

Thanksgiving 2013

We spent this Thanksgiving in Aiken with the Hyman Family - aunts, uncles, cousins, and Great Grandma Louise.  Louise is 94 this year, and just had a hysterectomy in October.  Thankfully, she is recovering - but it's been tough.  She came over to my mom and dad's for a few hours, and it was great to spend some time with her.  The kids also had a blast making ornaments and decorations for her walker! 

Some other highlights...Jules and Wills both love doting on John Durham (as Jules says "my baby John Derm"), my kids are lunatics and can get by on way too little sleep, and Louise and Wills are posers.

Jules' First Mani Pedi

I took Jules for her first mani pedi!  It was really just nail painting, and she really is too young...but she loved it!  The paint on her fingers lasted all of 10 minutes before smudging.  I think there is still one nail that has purple polish on it...

Wofford Volleyball Game

My mom's cousin has a daughter that plays volleyball at Wofford, and we went to watch them play at Furman.  Boy, was it intense!  I loved it though, and the kids seemed to enjoy it too.

The pom poms helped :)

Wills is Playing Basketball!

Wills is playing basketball this winter at the YMCA, for the first time.  He seems to be enjoying it - meeting new friends, getting exercise, etc.  He is asking Santa for a basketball goal this year...although he is wondering how Santa would get it down the chimney.  Here's a shot from his first game - he is number 3 in the blue.

Sunrise View from our Back Porch

One of the things we love most about our new house is the back porch and back yard - perfect for kids playing, beer drinking, and friends hanging.  I caught this sunrise view one morning - you gotta get down there by 6:30am to see it, but man, there are some gorgeous views.

 

 

Diabetes Walk at Woodland

I joined Wills for the annual Diabetes Walk at his school, and it was so neat to see him interacting with his friends.  He seems very happy here!

 

First Time at Build a Bear

The kids went to Cate's birthday party at Build a Bear, and let's just say they LOVED it!

 

Jules brought home Fluffy the Penguin, and Wills brought home Darth Vader the Bear.

 

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Tim's 36th Birthday and a Benefit

We celebrated Tim's birthday with a big ole caramel cake, just like my grandma used to make - only with chocolate on the inside this time!  Yum! 

 

 

 

And here are a few pics of us at a benefit that we went to back in August for Sarcoma Warriors.

 

 

Lunch with My Buddy

I've gone several times to have lunch with Wills as school - it is always so fun.  But...they eat at 10:20!  Crazy!  So, I usually just bring a snack.  Here's a little shot of us at the lunch table.

11th Wedding Anniversary

Tim and I spent our 11th wedding anniversary (October 26) in Aiken - we had an amazing dinner at the Willcox, then walked to the Brew Pub downtown.  I love that my parents live so close to downtown Aiken and we can walk places easily at night.

We originally planned to spend this anniversary in Asheville, but my sweet grandma Louise had to had surgery unexpectedly - at 94!  She reminded us that this is only the 2nd time in her life that she's had surgery!  She's a trooper and pulled through like one!

Halloween 2013!

These kids love them some Halloween!  Jules was all about "ghostes", the "fooky forest", and acting like a zombie.  Then, of course, she got real scared when I painted my face green to be a witch, and she wouldn't let me wear the witch nose :)

 

Jules was - you guessed it - Mickey 'da Mouse.  Wills was a Blue Mega Force Power Ranger.  And Tim was a very handsome cowboy.

Jumping in Leaves

These kids love nothing more than jumping in a big old pile of leaves!

Kids' Annual Checkups

I took Wills and Louise together to get their annual checkups (Wills - 6 and Jules - 3).  This is a new doctor, since we moved, but we liked her a lot.  Stats to come...But overall, healthy as can be!